Chapter 328
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
The 1st Royal Capital Tournament ⑥: Team Matches Finals
Translator : PolterGlast
The banquet on the
day the team match preliminaries ended became something terrible for two men. Archduke
Takuhir of the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, and Marquis Gorman,
who is said to bear a part of it; these two were surrounded by those wishing to
speak with them, and had no time to even take a meal.
And rightly so; both
sides had completely overwhelmed the players fielded by the Royal Capital Knights—said to be the
most elite of the Kyle Kingdom—and the various Frontier Dukes who were
veterans of many battles, winning flawless victories in every battle.
「Even
so, the Demon Territory Dukedom cannot be underestimated. Just what on earth is in that
region?」
「Indeed,
even though they started their efforts early, it seems there is some secret.」
「How
about it? Up until now, we too had drawn a line drawing them as 'upstarts', but
their victories in past battles have been backed as being due to true ability. That has now become a widely known
fact. How about we too utilize this banquet, form a friendship with them, and
try to touch upon a fragment of it?」
Such exchanges took
place in various places, and many nobles changed their policies and gathered to
make contact with Takuhir and the others for paying respects, business
negotiations, and other requests and solicitations.
As a result, they
were constantly surrounded by people.
Actually, within the casually spoken
conversations here, hints leading to the core of a truth hidden within eternal
history—no, a truth already forgotten—were being spoken without even the parties
involved knowing.
The reason for that
traces back to the founding of the Kyle Kingdom.
Those referred to as
『Those
who use the bow well, those who befriend the wind』; the
domain where the Clan of Wind lived in that era spread from Marquis Gorman's
territory to Marquis Solis's territory, back when they were both
Viscounts.
Those lands were
called Estol, and referred to a domain vaster than the current Estol
territory.
Naturally, in the
500 years of history since then, their villages repeatedly rose and fell, and
mixed blood among clans and with the people of the human realm also progressed.
They had already lost their uniqueness as the former clan now, but even if the
blood thinned, the place that those possessing the bloodline of 『Wind』
had designated as their village was there.
Therefore, even
though it was a frontier, many descendants possessing ties to the Clan of Wind
lived in that domain. That percentage was, of course, outstanding even within
the Kyle Kingdom, whose ancestors are the People of Magic.
That is the reason
why both houses produced an exceedingly large number of Wind Mages
compared to other territories, and also the reason they were blessed with
numerous excellent shooters.
In the first place,
people with good affinity for the bow and crossbow just happened to live in
large numbers in their territories. Whether this is a coincidence, or if the
gears of fate were assembled that way, no one knows. And the parties involved
have no way of knowing this fact either.
Surrounded at the
banquet this night, the men bombarded with questions had no time to take a
meal, had no means to convey the true answers to the solutions the questioners
sought, and are said to have merely excused themselves from their seats
exhausted.
※
And the next day...
I had a terrible
time last night, but today is the day of the finals. Originally, it was
supposed to be the semi-finals, the third-place playoff, and the finals,
though...
The Royal Capital Knights and the Frontier
Duke Hastburg
team, who had advanced their pieces to the semi-finals, apparently cried to the
Old Raccoon at last night's banquet.
『We
wish to refrain from breaking the hearts of the regrettably promising
individuals any further,』 they said...
「The
semi-finals are already nothing more than public executions that only expose
our shame, but we too have made our resolve as a place to gain learning.
However, the third-place playoff is merely licking each other's wounds, the
difference in true ability from the first and second place is obvious, and it
has no meaning whatsoever. Rather than that, I think it would be better as the
Academy Principal to take time with the finals and lay bare the military forces
of both sides completely... what do you say?」
「Hmm...
if both parties advancing to the third-place playoff probably say so, I acting
as management and His Majesty probably have no objections either. Your proposal
is also attractive, after all.」
Saying so, the 3 of
them are said to have grinned.
『Brother
and the Knight Commander doing unnecessary things...』
I, who learned the
circumstances later, thought so, but thinking about it, I also think it's a
reasonable story. Both the Marquis and I are still hiding two players each.
Over here are Aura and Diana, both former people of the Imperial
Kingdom.
「First
in the finals, both teams will take turns doing target shooting one person at a
time, doing it 10 times in total, I hear. Since there is no opponent, there are
no individual wins or losses. They just pile up the total score of the target
shooting, and after everyone has gone one round, they do the elimination
matches, they say. Good grief,
the Old Raccoon really does it
now...」
Originally, the
finals took the form of conducting the elimination matches, then having all 5
people do target shooting, adding the total scores of both sides to determine
superiority.
In this case, if it
were a narrow margin, a reversal at the end was also possible, and depending on
the results of the elimination matches, the superior side could hold back and
hide their true ability.
But in the new match
format, everyone's hands must be exposed first. Having seen that, it even
becomes possible to change the order of the elimination matches.
Since there are
simultaneous defeats by draws in elimination matches, if true abilities are
closely matched, the ingenuity of the order will end up deciding the outcome.
「Are
they determined to make us... lay bare everything no matter what. It's the Old
Raccoon after all...」
Muttering so, I
glared at them with a slightly troubled face. While sticking my tongue out
inwardly...
Of the top 3
recommended by Christoph, I am still hiding one in this tournament, and
of those who were in the back row, I only fielded one in the individual
matches.
Therefore, although
I did my best this time, it's not like I arranged the absolute best.
「Now
then, without minding unnecessary noise, everyone just needs to show off with full power. To
defeat Brother in the semifinals... Lilia!
Can I ask you?」
「Yes!」
I assigned Lilia,
who is abundantly experienced and mentally the strongest, to the semi-finals.
With her, even if she fights consecutive battles, she won't be worn down, and
there shouldn't be any problems.
And, exactly as
everyone predicted, in the semi-finals, both our team and Marquis Gorman's
team showed overwhelming strength of taking out five opponents, and advanced
our pieces to the finals.
Although it was
predicted, Knight Commander Gouras, who was shut out by Marquis Gorman
as well, collapsed to his knees on the earth.
※
And finally, the
final match began. Before the match, we walked up to each other in the center.
Unlike usual, Marquis Gorman arrogantly puffed out his chest and
confronted me as if glaring.
「In
this place, I shall dare to confront the Archduke as an equal opponent. Because
Yuka went to your side this time, I had a hard time too. Though, you
went diagonally above expectations again.」
「Yes,
this is a place of competition. There is no need for consideration.
Father-in-law must be joking too. Originally, that was already factored in,
wasn't it? I won't hold back either.」
Saying so, he
grinned. And then... turning our backs to each other, we began walking to our
own camps.
「This
time we go with orthodox tactics. Even so, they call it a pile-up format, but they really thought of a nasty
match format. The bad personality of the deviser is oozing out.」
Yes, even though
there is no direct confrontation and it's just piling up the total scores, nasty
tricks were abundantly incorporated.
·
Each person performs 10 shots.
·
The targets have different points depending on 5
levels of difficulty.
·
The points awarded are from 1 to 5 points
depending on the target.
·
There are 24 targets for each difficulty level
respectively.
·
For the 5 regulation shots, one must aim for the
targets of each difficulty level in order.
·
For the 5 free shots, one may choose any target.
·
Targets are not replenished, so it's first come,
first served.
·
Both camps take turns doing target shooting one
person at a time.
·
Ultimately, the total scores are added up, and
transitioning to the elimination matches occurs with that point difference.
「Um...
this is similar to the one Takuhir-sama used for the preliminaries in the Teigoon tournament
previously, isn't it. Does that mean they researched up to that part...」
「...」
At the words of Carleen,
who is a bit of an airhead, I had no choice but to smile wryly. Lilia
was stifling a laugh. After all, the person who originally thought of the
prototype (me) criticized it as a method with a bad personality and so on.
「Even
so, the maximum difficulty, the 5-point targets are difficult, aren't they.
Setting aside the competition crossbows supplied by Takuhir-sama, the ones used in this
tournament are...」
There was that
too... Unless it's a top-grade item pursuing accuracy to the absolute limit,
the accuracy cannot be trusted. Accurately grasping and adjusting for subtle
margins of error while performing the highest difficulty target shooting is a
supreme feat. Therefore, the higher the rank of the person performing delicate
handling, the more they are affected by it.
「Carleen,
to be frank, how is it? Can you go for all the 5-point targets?」
「Hmm,
if it were the usual crossbow there would be no mistake, but... I think those who have that
feeling ingrained in their bodies will struggle more. It's tough for us, but...」
Saying so, she
smiled sweetly. I see what you mean!
「First,
I want Lilia and Altena to go take the 4-point targets.」
「「Yes, sir!」」
Where we stake the
match is after that! Now, how will Father-in-law receive this?
※
Amidst massive
cheers, the finals began. First, the player from Marquis Gorman's
territory advanced to the shooting position.
『As
the undefeated champion, the Archduke should probably yield the first move to
the challenger.』
With that single
remark from the Old Raccoon, I ended up yielding the first move to the
opponent, but to ensure fairness, it seems the first and second moves will swap
every time.
「Lilia,
the Marquis Gorman side is an opponent we know. Relax your shoulders and
take it easy.」
Saying so, I sent
her out. Lilia nodded with a smile and advanced to the next player's
waiting position amidst massive cheers.
During that time,
the opponent first succeeded up to 4 of the 5 regulation shots, but as expected
the highest difficulty target seemed tough, and he missed by a narrow margin.
However, without being perturbed, he smashed 4-point targets for the remaining
5 shots.
As expected! So you
came that way too... as expected, he cannot be underestimated.
Next is our turn. Lilia
stands out even in Wind Magic with her delicate adjustments and
deployment range. Even without using magic, the delicacy of her skill stands
out.
With the expected
steadfastness, she splendidly succeeded in the 5 regulation shots, and in the
free shooting, she smashed all 4-point targets. Then, amidst the erupting
massive applause and cheers, she returned here.
「As
expected, the 5-point targets are tough. That I was able to hit it was a fluke.
Actually, it might be influenced by luck... With my skill, I think the
probability won't even reach half. Therefore, Altena, even if you miss,
it's better to think of it as luck.」
This time Altena
goes first, and the opponent was a player named Milia.
Hmm? Isn't this a reproduction
of the individual match finals of the previous supreme tournament? In that case... is
their past true ability closely matched?
Of course Altena
has also grown, but that's probably the same for the other side too. Rather, to
achieve revenge, it's also conceivable that the other party had been working at
it desperately.
The result... Altena
succeeded up to the 4th regulation shot, but missed the highest difficulty
target. Pulling herself together, she smashed all 4-point targets in the free
shooting.
On the other hand, Milia
succeeded in all regulation shots, and smashed all 4-point targets in the free
shooting as well.
Altena had
her position reversed from the previous tournament and had tears welling up
looking extremely frustrated, but I rather felt like praising both of them.
With this, the total
scores of both camps are the same... Already all 24 of the 4-point targets had
been smashed, leaving 22 of the 5-point targets, and 20 each of 3 points and
below. Now... how will the opponent come from here on?
「Carleen,
it doesn't matter if you miss. Let's go take as many 5 points as we can get!」
I decided to entrust
the outcome of the match to our absolute ace. Carleen gave a small nod,
removed her hair clip, and let her long hair flutter. As her own switch, she
removes her hair clip when she gets serious. It seems contrary to normal, but
according to her, she feels her own long hair fluttering in the wind, and reads
the wind.
The opponent is... Arrogantz!
To think Father-in-law would bring out his ace here too...
When I looked at the
opponent's camp, my father-in-law, who had a sour look, grinned.
『The
other side is probably still hiding a trump card anyway, but that's the same
for me too.』
Not to be outdone, I
returned an ostentatious smile.
And then...
Arrogantz,
going first, as I expected, splendidly succeeded in everything in the 5
regulation shots except the 4-point target which became invalid because there
was no target.
His subsequent free
shooting also aimed for the 5-point targets, succeeding in 3 shots and adding
15 points. Something that even Lilia said the probability was under
50%...
This time it's our
turn, Carleen's turn to act. Amidst massive cheers, she indifferently
advanced to the shooting position and readied her crossbow.
Her flowing movements
fascinate those watching. Then, brushing back the hair disturbed by the breeze,
she readied her crossbow.
「Oooohhhh!」
Amidst the erupting
massive cheers, without changing her dignified expression, she destroyed
targets one after another.
The result... like Arrogantz,
she shot through the remaining targets in the 5 regulation shots, and when it
came to the free shooting, she succeeded in as many as 4 shots on the 5-point
targets!
With this, the point
difference between both camps was 5 points again, and the 5-point targets
were... 13 remaining.
「Aura,
we're pressing the attack here, can you do it?」
「Yes! I
will adjust my aim by the 4th regulation shot, so I can do it!」
「Incidentally,
the 4th regulation shot that should aim for the 4-point target which has run
out of targets, is apparently invalid no matter which target you shoot. So...
you can play around.」
「Yes,
understood!」
Saying so, Aura
smiled. I thought to relax her, but that led to an unexpected action from
her...
「Oooohhhh!」
A huge stir
surpassing that during Carleen's turn occurred. Because Aura,
going first, on her 4th regulation shot, splendidly shot through the thin peg
that had secured the already smashed 4-point target!
The difficulty of
that is far more difficult than shooting through a target. And when she
succeeded in the 5th regulation shot, she shot and smashed all the 5-point
targets even in the free shooting!
「Guh...」
I felt like I heard
Marquis Gorman's groan. There are only 7 of the 5-point targets left
now. Because a single mistake will become fatal. Moreover, all other remaining
targets are 3 points or less...
But... the female
shooter who appeared did not flinch either. Showcasing supreme target shooting
close to Aura's divine feat, she astonishingly hammered out the same
score as her!
『Tch!
I haven't heard of a hidden gem of this class...』
It was such splendid
target shooting that I was unintentionally bewildered. She did her absolute
best and passed the baton to the final player.
She and the final
player waiting next, these 2 were women I was seeing for the first time too.
「This
is Father-in-law's hidden gem... and 3 out of 5 being excellent female
shooters... this is impossible.」
Diana must be
a first sight for the other side too, but I couldn't help but feel anew the
depth of the layer in the Gorman territory.
「However...
there is one 5-point target remaining... Ah, damn it! You Old Raccoon, you got
me.」
It was only at this
time that I realized for the first time. The one who went first initially has
an overwhelming advantage!
There is 1 of the
5-point targets remaining, and no 4-point targets. In other words, Marquis Gorman's
camp, which goes first in the final round, can collect this 5-point target in
the regulation shooting.
But we, going
second, cannot get 5 points even in the regulation target shooting. Because the
targets have already all been destroyed.
As a result, we
waste one shooting attempt compared to the one going first. Therefore, even
though we haven't lost in the shootout, they will catch up to a tie.
「You
Old Raccoon, so you read this far and made me go second...」
I came to know anew
the terrifying nature of the Old Raccoon from the depth of his read and the
nastiness of his methods.
「Westlights
Archduke's Direct Territory, 153 points! Marquis Gorman Territory, 153
points! The first half of the team match finals shall be considered dead even,
and superiority shall be decided in the elimination matches of the second half.」
With that loud
declaration, the first half of the final match ended. Somehow... there are
parts that leave me feeling murky in various ways, but it can't be helped.
※
Perhaps my murky
feelings transmitted to everyone in the elimination matches that began
immediately after.
The players of
Marquis Gorman fought valiantly, but everyone on this side also changed the color of
their eyes and fought strenuously, and although there were simultaneous defeats
by draws, we had no losses, and finally Carleen, who was the middle
guard, was unrivaled... and we won easily. With Aura and Diana
preserved...
「Splendid!
Truly splendid! As expected of the immovable champion, no, the absolute
champion Archduke of the Demon Territory!」
「Overwhelming.
I feel I can understand the reason why my friend is called a Supreme Ruler...」
No... both of you,
please stop. Attaching and calling me by such sketchy names.
Even now, just being
called a hero of national salvation, an ever-victorious general, or a Archduke
is already more than enough...
「PLEASE,
I BEG YOU, NO UNNECESSARY NICKNAMES...」
The earnest wish of me, whose innate commoner sensibilities couldn't be shaken off... didn't seem like it would reach them.
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